SeaGreen Wood Group Archives - Seagreen Property Greystones

Outdoor Eateries to Enjoy the Summer Sun When You Own a New Home at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones

As summer has well and truly arrived and we enjoy the soaring temperatures, there’s no better place to be than Greystones. This perfect location offers an array of water-based activities to keep cool, as well as great scenic walks that help you enjoy an active lifestyle, not to mention the beautiful beaches and harbour area. But as a culinary hotspot, this thriving town also offers a variety of eateries with outdoor seating, where you can relax and socialise with friends and family, and get a tasty snack while you soak up the sun. Here’s a few of our favourite spots for homeowners who live a stone’s throw away at SeaGreen Gate.

seagreen_gate_summer_living_is_easy_beautiful_new_houses_for_sale_in_greystones_the_happy_pear

The Happy Pear

The Happy Pear is one of the most well-known eateries in the town, made famous by the Flynn brothers Dave and Steve, who with a little help from their family, have developed what was a fruit and veg shop into one of Ireland’s best-loved health food eateries.

There are a few small tables out front at the Church Road café (they also have one at the Shoreline), but it is out the back where most sun-lovers venture to try the exotic and locally-grown fare. It’s great to sit out here and relax in the sun while tempting your taste buds with some sweet potato fritters, baked miso aubergine, vegan pies or refreshing salads and vegetarian soups. This is healthy food at its best, and is great to enjoy while soaking up the sun and enjoying the fresh air.

The Happy Pear also offers a guilt-free takeaway menu, so you can enjoy a healthy and delicious meal to bring home to your four-bedroom Wilde, the Beckett or the Yeats house at SeaGreen Gate.

the-beach-house-greystones-outdoor-eating-when-you-buy-a-new-house-for-sale-at-seagreen-gate-greystones

The Beach House

Talking of Greystones institutions, for many people who stroll along the Cliff Walk, the first port of call once they arrive in Greystones is The Beach House, a lovely pub and restaurant right by the harbour. This family owned spot has been here since 1850 and continues to prove popular with locals and visitors.

There is an a la carte menu from Monday to Saturday, with food also served on Sundays, but one of the best things about this Greystones institution is the lovely outdoor seating area where you can dig into the tasty food while enjoying a refreshing drink and the beautifully sunny weather.

Las Tapas

Sampling delicious plates of food under the sun brings to mind holidays in Spain, and tapas is the perfect snack for the summer.

At Las Tapas on Church Road, you can order from the long list of Spanish delicacies and specialities, from breads and olives to chicken with salsa to spicy meatballs, to paella and chorizo, there is something here to satisfy every taste, and while the interior is lovely, in the summer it’s great to sit outside and enjoy the sun while watching the world go by.

three-qs-great-places-to-eat-outsoors-to-enjoy-summer-sun-when-you-buy-a-new-house-for-sale-at-seagreen-greystones

The Three Qs

Staying on the continent, The Three Qs offers breakfast brunch and evening menus cooked up by brothers Brian, Colin and Paul Quinn. With a Spanish, French and Italian leaning, this cosy and friendly little restaurant is considered one of the finest in Greystones, and you may have to move fast to secure one of the few tables outside.

Once you do though, the food is great, with the breakfast menu offering porridge, croque monsieur, French toast and croissants, and the evening menu including everything from Spanish fish stew with chorizo to lamb shanks to good old fish and chips.

Bochellis

Also on Church Road you can find Bochellis, an Italian restaurant with a number of outdoor tables. There’s a large menu of pizza and pasta dishes, as well as a few chef’s specialities that include fillet of beef wrapped in Italian ham, veal escalopes and chicken in red wine and tomato sauce, but when summer is here it is always a good idea to try a fresh fish dish.

From fresh mussels in chili, garlic and tomato sauce, to calamari rings to penne with prawns and mussels and fresh and smoked salmon in white wine sauce, there’s plenty here to give you that seaside feel as you bask in the sun.

Tramyard Kitchen

The outdoor seating at the front of Tramyard Kitchen gets some really great sunshine during the summer, so it’s a great place to settle down and enjoy the heat while digging into a burger, pizza, fish dish or steak.

They also have a very long wine list to choose from, so you can while away the long summer days sampling a refreshing tipple while the sun shines down on you and your family or friends.

great-outdoor-eating-to-enjoy-summer-sun-when-you-buy-a-new-home-for-sale-at-seagreen-greystones-tramyard-kitchen

Spendlove

Everybody loves an ice cream when the sun is shining, and at Spendlove, they offer really great cold treats that will help you stay cool. They also have very good coffee and snacks, but what better way to enjoy the summer sun than to sit and take your time over a delicious ice cream at the outdoor seating area here on Trafalgar Square overlooking the new marina? Or maybe you would prefer to take your ice cream away and enjoy it as you stroll along the harbour?

The number and range of quality eateries with outdoor seating that let you enjoy the summer sun while you dine is just one more reason why Greystones is such a great place to live. All of these culinary delights are just a few minutes away from the development of beautiful new homes at SeaGreen Gate, so if you are one of the owners of these luxurious and family-friendly houses, you can enjoy that al fresco summer dining feeling within a short walk from your home.

If you would like to register your interest in the beautiful new houses at SeaGreen Gate, you can do so below:

The Call of the Sea: Water Activities for the Family to Enjoy in Greystones When You Buy a SeaGreen Home

The cold and dark evenings are hopefully on their way out soon, and we can begin to look forward to the type of weather that makes Greystones a perfect place to live. Situated on the coast just outside Dublin, this thriving town offers a number of great outdoor activities for all the family, as well as a few hidden gems, and if you buy one of the beautiful new houses at SeaGreen, you can answer the call of the sea and enjoy a range of water-based pursuits practically on your doorstep.

water_activities_for_your_family_to_enjoy_when_you_buy_a_new_house_for_sale_at_seagreen_in_greystones

While the houses at SeaGreen all offer high-spec fixtures, features and fittings, one other major benefit of this development is its proximity to the coast, and the many activities it provides to make sure you and your family enjoy a great lifestyle.

Here are just a few marine highlights of this great seaside location:

Greystones Harbour Marina

Recently modernised, Greystones marina lies at the centre of the town’s beautiful harbour, and is a great place to indulge in your love of the water.

water_activities_on_your_doorstep_when_you_by_a_new_house_for_sale_at_seagreen_in_greystones

Accommodating up to 250 boats and attracting sailing enthusiasts from all over Ireland, the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, and even the US, the marina provides full boatyard facilities, including storage, hoisting, water and shore power, fuelling, and toilet and shower facilities. There is also free WiFi and local maps and guides, so even if you are not planning to head out on the water, it’s a great place to kick back and relax, or plan a day out inland.

The Beaches

On either side of the harbour lies a beautiful Blue Flag beach that provides a great chance to enjoy a bit of sun, sea and sand. In the summer months, these beaches prove very popular with locals and visitors alike, with the nearby railway line offering easy access from Dublin and the surrounding towns, but locals are also known to enjoy the water here all year round, as the annual Christmas swim shows.

What makes these beaches truly stand out is the amazing setting, with stunning views across Bray Head and Dublin Bay to the north, and the majestic backdrop of the Sugarloaf and Wicklow Mountains to the west. On a clear day, you can even make out the west coast of Wales on the horizon across the Irish Sea.

Greystones Sailing Club

Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, Greystones Sailing Club is one of the best dinghy sailing clubs in Ireland. The 350 member-strong organisation offers dinghy and keelboat sailing courses for a range of junior and adult classes and abilities, so whether you are an experienced racer or an absolute beginner, there is a course for you here.

water_activities_for_your_family_to_enjoy_when_you_buy_a_new_house_for_sale_at_seagreen_in_greystones_call_of_the_sea

The club has an active training and sailing programme providing instruction for 100 children and 30 adults every year, with ongoing training for other members, and runs a beginner’s course for Transition Year students at one of the excellent local schools – the nearby St David’s Secondary School. It also provides courses for First Aid, powerboats and sailing instructors.

Greystones Ridge Angling Club

Having formed almost 60 years ago, the Greystones Ridge Angling Club now has a brand-new clubhouse befitting the organisation’s appeal to the local community. With new members always welcome, they plan to make the club a centre of excellence for sea angling, and plan angling courses for people of all ages.

Sea Scouts

Based in the harbour marina, the Greystones Harbour Sea Scouts provides children and young adults with a great way to stay active, have fun and make friends. With a full marine activities programme including canoes and dinghies incorporated into the normal land-based scouting activities, members can enjoy a good cross-section of outdoor pursuits. During the winter months, theory practice is taught, before summer sees the Scouts take to the water, fully prepared and ready to put their lessons into practice.

From the age of six, children can join the Beavers, then move on to the Cubs at eight, before joining the Sea Scouts at 11, then moving up to the Venture section at 15, then the Rovers at 18, with the possibility of taking on a leadership role, so no matter what age your children are, they will find fun and friendship here.

The Cliff Walk

If you love the sea but prefer to look at it from the comfort of dry land, the Cliff Walk between Greystones and Bray is the perfect place to take in the scenery and get some exercise. The 7km walk along a well-maintained path offers great views of the surrounding coast, with the final stop at Bray Head well worth all the effort.

water_activities_for_your_family_to_enjoy_when_you_buy_a_new_house_for_sale_at_seagreen_in_greystones_cliff_walk

As well as the beautiful flora and many seabirds, porpoises, dolphins and basking sharks can sometimes be spotted by the keen-eyed walker.

If you don’t fancy retracing your steps back to Greystones, you can always take the 15-minute Dart ride from Bray station.

Greystones offers so many marine-based activities that you and your family will be able to enjoy a great lifestyle, and if you buy one of the homes at SeaGreen, you will be able to easily access all of these and experience all this town has to offer, before returning to the comfort of your beautiful home in this great development.

To register your interest in our upcoming phase of development at SeaGreen Gate, click here:

Comfortable, Elegant and Family-Friendly Bathrooms in the New Homes at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones

To live comfortably in an ideal home, every room should be both functional and stylish, and the bathroom is no different. In a family home especially, having bathrooms that suit the needs of everybody is very important, and in the beautiful new homes at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones, we have designed these rooms to suit a growing family, without compromising on luxury and style.

Having recently given a sneak peek inside the new four-bedroom houses at SeaGreen Gate in this perfect location, and presenting the top floor room – the jewel in the crown of these homes – we here take a look at the luxury bathrooms.

seagreen_gate_beautiful_new_houses_for_sale_greystones_interiors_fittings_design

Modern bathrooms need to be functional and family-friendly, but in keeping with the beautiful design of the Wilde, the Beckett and the Yeats homes at SeaGreen Gate, the three bathrooms and downstairs WC in our new development are also elegant, stylish and comfortable.

That means home owners at SeaGreen can enjoy having all the necessary space they require for their growing family, catering for the bathroom needs of parents, teenagers and young children. Having not one, or two, but four separate bathrooms is such a great facility to have.

Whether you need to grab a quick shower before the easy commute to work, wash up after pursuing one of the many activities Greystones has to offer, get the children ready to head off to one of the many great schools in the area, or just want to relax in privacy and comfort in the bath, you can do so in these spacious homes, and every family member can use a separate bathroom when everybody is on the go at the same time.

As with the design of the luxury kitchen and living spaces, these bathrooms provide ample and convenient storage space, with alcoves enabling you to keep toiletries within easy reach, but without causing clutter.

The cisterns are concealed to provide even more space, so everything is as clean and neat as possible, as interior designer Eily Roe points out in this video:

The spacious family bathroom includes a large bath and overhead shower in which you can relax and unwind after a perfect day in Greystones, and is given the same sleek interior look you can find in all other rooms in the house. It is fully tiled, with tiled alcoves providing ample storage, while the heated chrome towel rails ensure your family can enjoy that extra level of comfort and convenience.

As with the other bathrooms in the house, this space contains modern and recessed lighting to amplify space and give a cosy and clean feel to the room.

SeaGreen_Gate_new_houses_for_sale_Greystones_beautiful_interiors_top_quality_fittings_bathroom

The downstairs WC is very convenient for families, offering a large second toilet and wash area without the need to enter a bedroom to use an en suite at busy times, so there is no need to wait around or interrupt another family member. It also has a concealed cistern and semi-recessed wash basin, so that the space provided is optimised for comfort.

Moving upstairs, the en suite in the master bedroom provides home owners with a stylish and comfortable space in which to enjoy their privacy, with a standalone shower. It also has a really good vanity unit for storage.

beautiful_interiors_at_the_new_houses_at_SeaGreen_Gate_in_Greystones_elegant_stylish_functional_bathrooms

The en suite on the second floor has really optimised space too. It has a standalone shower and Velux roof light, so you can stand under the water and loop up at the stars or the sun above you. This is the type of feature, like the balcony window on the top floor, that helps give that penthouse feel to the family home, and really makes the houses at SeaGreen Gate stand out.

The top floor en suite bathroom in the show home also includes an illuminated mirror with Bluetooth speakers above the basin, offering an example of the modern living options home owners at SeaGreen Gate can enjoy.

Having four bathrooms doesn’t have to mean a demand on energy or water, or high bills, because the state of the art heating and electricity systems in these houses mean your energy costs will be kept to a minimum. It won’t always be as warm as it is now, so the thermostatically controlled radiators that are heated by highly-efficient natural gas boilers, the heat pump that uses waste air to produce continuous hot water, and the solar panels that provide free electricity to also heat water, is an added bonus.

The bathrooms in a house are not often talked about, but we feel that the comfortable, functional and elegant spaces in the new homes at SeaGreen Gate are just one of the many reasons why home owners at this development will find these homes an ideal family-friendly place in which to live.

Presenting the Jewel in the Crown of the Beautiful New Homes at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones

When it comes to finding the perfect home in the perfect location, homeowners look for a house that combines comfort with convenience and spacious living with style, but they also want that something extra to really make their home stand out. At SeaGreen Gate in Greystones, that is what we provide with our beautifully designed new homes, and the top floor room in these four-bedroom houses is the jewel in the crown of these stunning new builds.

seagreen_gate_master_bedroom_new_houses_for_sale_in_greystones

Every room in these new houses is designed for the maximum level of comfort and family-friendly living, from the sleek and spacious kitchen and dining areas that lead out to the back garden patio, to the living room that offers large bay windows to enjoy the great views outside, to the luxurious bathrooms and ample bedrooms to suit all family members.

It is on the top floor, however, where we now showcase the huge amount of thought and effort that goes into the design of every room in every SeaGreen house.

In designing this majestic living space, interior designer Eily Roe aimed to create a room that was entirely different from the rest of the house. While the ground floor living areas provide the space and features that enable families to spend time together, to entertain, pursue their own interests and activities, or to plan the perfect summer day in Greystones featuring the sun, sea and sand Greystones is famous for, on the top floor Eily focused on creating a subtle and quiet area that offers an oasis of calm and comfort. It has all the furnishings and features you would expect, and a few more innovative and luxurious features you might not.

Watch the video below to hear Eily Roe talk about this stunning living space.

The room is perfectly suited to be used as a master bedroom, with a large double bed and a generous wardrobe that provides ample storage space without taking over the living area, so it can be used for a multitude of purposes – not just for storing clothes.

The sleek and subtle design of the room means that there is a large amount of space in which to walk around, stretch out and relax, or arrange your favourite furniture to truly make the space your own.

The team at SeaGreen design and build these houses in such a way that the families who own them can put their own individual stamp on the layout, and this room can also be used as a living space in which to relax, to practice yoga, meditation, or to exercise, as a reading room, or as the best home office you will ever find – it is really up to the homeowner.

The en suite in this room, as in the en suite bedroom on the second floor, features a standalone shower with a Velux roof light above it, so you can stand in the shower and look up at the stars, or the sun, above you, which we feel is a great feature that makes this room stand out.

SeaGreen_Gate_new_houses_for_sale_in_Greystones_latest_phase_of_development_luxury_fittings_bathroom-1

The show home also includes an illuminated mirror with Bluetooth speakers above the basin, offering an example of the kind of modern living options you can enjoy at SeaGreen Gate, and providing homeowners with another feature that makes this room such a pleasure to spend time in.

Perhaps the most innovative feature of this room, though, is the unique Velux balcony window. As the four-bedroom Wilde, the Yeats and the Beckett houses are ideally situated on an elevated site overlooking Greystones, when you open out this balcony window (as Ken the carpenter demonstrates here), you get a really great 180 degree view of the surrounding area.

SeaGreen_Gate_new_homes_for_sale_in_Greystones_from_Wood_group_luxury_interiors_great_features_bedroom_windows_great_view

By expanding this window and stepping out into the fresh air, you can enjoy the great scenery – of the town and sea beyond, of the hills that come alive with colour in the summer, or of the mountains and stunning cliff walk – depending on your house location.

This feature really helps homebuyers to make so much more of this space and enjoy that penthouse feel in your family home.

If you want to find out more about these beautiful new homes at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones, to stay up to date with the progress of this stunning development, or to register your interest in a new home at SeaGreen, you can do so below.

A Sneak Peek Inside Our Soon To Launch New Homes at SeaGreen Gate in Greystones

As the latest stage of development at SeaGreen approaches, the excitement is, quite literally building. Ahead of the spring launch of SeaGreen Gate, the upcoming phase of new houses in Greystones, we want to give you a sneak peek at our plans for the interiors, so you can know what to expect from these top-quality, beautiful homes.

seagreen_gate_interiors_sneak_peek_new_houses_for_sale_in_greystones

Every house at SeaGreen is designed to keep energy costs down, and SeaGreen Gate, with an A energy-rating, will be our most energy-efficient homes to date, with top of the range insulation, solar-enhanced heating and thermostatically-controlled radiators included. Here, however, we want to take a look inside the front door at the features and fittings that will make SeaGreen Gate the perfect home for you and your family.

Family life revolves around the kitchen, and the design of the SeaGreen Gate kitchens mean you and your family can enjoy modern conveniences and ample space in which to cook, eat and spend time together. The linear layout in matt combines a chic look and functionality, with all appliances – double oven, microwave, ceramic hob, dishwasher and integrated fridge-freezer – to one side for convenience and spaciousness. The kitchen storage spaces are also completely handle-less to add to the streamlined effect.

Seagreen_Gate_kitchen2_new_homes_for_sale_at_SeaGreen_Greystones_from_Wood_Group

Seagreen_Gate_Kitchen_new_houses_for_sale_at_SeaGreen_in_Greystones_from_Wood_Group_1-1

A telescopic extractor fan is sleekly integrated, while there is also additional storage available below the main wall units, and there is lots of space for food preparation on the ‘Florence Quartz’ counter top.

The washer and dryer are also in a separate utility room, so you can keep your kitchen as clutter-free as you wish.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the dining area which, combined with the breakfast bar, gives you lots of room in which to spend time with family and friends, to entertain, and to enjoy the great lifestyle living at SeaGreen offers.

All of our houses include innovative features that meet the needs of a modern lifestyle, and one great feature of these new homes is the reading nook found in the sunny living space beside the kitchen. Surrounded by shelves and wall lights, you can sit here to read and relax, or stare out the large Velux window at the great views outside.

Speaking of views, the living room has a panoramic bay window, so you can look out over Greystones and enjoy the beautiful sea vista that makes this such a perfect location.

The master bedroom is planned to also give you a fantastic view, while providing you with the space you need to relax. There is ample storage on the shelves and in the wardrobes, with the quality and finish of the fitted and free-standing furniture sleek and refined. The en suite is fully tiled, with more storage available in the vanity unit.

Seagreen Gate Master Bedroom Wardrobe Perspective new houses for sale at SeaGreen in Greystones

The master bedroom and bedroom 2 are finished in legno white, while bedrooms 3 and 4 are in light grey, both giving a clean and smooth feel. Bedroom 3 also has a double wardrobe, with room for a desk and bed with storage drawers underneath.

The family bathroom is also fully tiled around the bath and shower area, with the large bath offering a tempting chance to relax and unwind, while the easily accessible tiled alcoves mean you can keep all toiletries and bathing essentials out of the way.

No matter how large your family, you won’t have to worry about being disturbed when you relax in the bath, because the houses at SeaGreen Gate also include an elegant downstairs guest bathroom. This includes a concealed cistern and semi-recessed basin, with the floor and part of the wall finished in timber-effect tile topped with off-white stone.

SeaGreen_Gate_new_homes_for_sale_at_SeaGreen_in_Greystones_bathroom_top_quality_fittings_2

The warm, muted décor to the walls and woodwork, as well as the low-energy lighting throughout, will make these homes cosy and comfortable all year round, and as with all of the other houses in the SeaGreen development, these will be decorated in a contemporary, modern yet eclectic style, inspiring the home owner to create their own special and personalised living space.

All of the houses at SeaGreen Gate will be designed to the highest quality, but we know that each person who buys one of our new homes will have their own personal tastes, which is why our expert and friendly on-the-ground team will, as ever, be on hand to help you turn your new house into your own dream home. They can take care of any redesign, changes or adaptations you want to make, and by dealing directly with home buyers, can quickly take care of any changes or specifications.

We will be revealing more details of these beautiful new homes in the coming weeks, so remember to check in on our site and blog for updates. In the meantime, you can register your interest in a home at SeaGreen Gate here.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy, Exciting New Year at SeaGreen in Greystones

The festive season is well and truly upon us, and we would like to wish all of our buyers, past, present and future, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at SeaGreen in Greystones.

merry_christmas_from_seagreen_wood_group_luxury_houses_for_sale_in_greystones_new_yeat_phase_three_development.jpg

We have had a very busy and rewarding year as we continue to build our development in an unrivalled location overlooking the village and the sea. We were truly delighted to build on this site to give our buyers all the benefits of a home in such a beautiful setting, while also being able to avail of a great lifestyle, and the superb schools, the area has to offer.

Our three-bed Portland, four-bed Wyndham and Bellevue, and our five-bed Somerby houses Have provided our buyers with A-rated energy-efficiency, so while we might hope for a White Christmas, we can be sure that it will also be a green one.

As with all of the Wood Group homes, we focus on sustainability and comfort combined at SeaGreen. Each of our houses features efficient heating systems including heat pumps, gas-fired and solar-enhanced heating, and photovoltaic panels that turn light into energy, while the thermostatically controlled radiators mean that these houses remain at an optimum and efficient temperature. This is great all year round, but especially cosy for those Christmas evenings with family and friends.

But we also work with our buyers to ensure they get the perfect house to call a home, in an ideal setting from which they can enjoy all that Greystones has to offer, whether that’s at Christmas, or in the glorious summer months by the sea.

Having broken ground in 2016, the first phase of the SeaGreen development of houses for sale in Greystones was ready in January and had completely sold out ahead of construction.

Phase 2 saw a similarly huge level of interest as we brought more three- and four-bedroom homes to the market. As you can see from one of our flyover videos from early in the year, we had a lot of work to do to build our latest phase of development, starting with SeaGreen Avenue and SeaGreen Drive.

By the end of March, the development was starting to shape up nicely as our team worked tirelessly to construct these superb energy-efficient houses with the best materials on the market and get them ready in time for our buyers.

Blessed with good weather, by the start of the summer, the first ten houses on SeaGreen Avenue were near completion, and we continued to work on Numbers 11 and upwards while the foundations for the first houses on SeaGreen Drive were ready to be built on, as you can see here.

By the end of June, half of this street had begun to take shape, and the long summer days meant we were able to make great progress on the site, turning our attention to SeaGreen Park as September rolled around and we put the final touches to SeaGreen Drive.

The colder weather didn’t stop us, and we continued to turn this beautiful site into a high-quality development that comes closer to completion with every passing day. A look at our flyover video from November will show you just how much has been done since the start of the year, but we won’t be stopping any time soon because we are building for the future.

We are very excited about our next phase of development, planned for spring 2018 and called SeaGreen Gate. It will consist of four-bedroom semi-detached, mid-terrace and end terrace homes. We have taken the wishes of our potential buyers on board to tailor these new homes to their specifications, and have thus made many improvements to their design, resulting in what will be a new development of luxurious, energy-efficient houses to be proud of.

There will be more information about this latest phase coming soon, so keep an eye on our website and blog for further details.

In the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

If you are interested in a home at SeaGreen in Greystones, register here:

5 Great Christmas Activities In Greystones When You Buy A SeaGreen Home

Situated in a perfect location on the coast with a backdrop of mountains, the beautiful town of Greystones is a great home base for some wonderful Christmas adventures and festive experiences. In no particular order, here’s our top five favourite things for SeaGreen homeowners to enjoy in the area at the most wonderful time of the year.

top_activities_for_christmas_when_you_by_a_home_at_seagreen_greystones.jpg

1 – Shop and Browse at the Harbour Christmas Market

The beautiful surrounds of The Boat Yard Gallery in Greystones harbour host the annual Christmas Market, featuring all things festive under the marquee. Open on weekends from 2nd to 17th December, stalls selling great gift ideas and tasty hot food will keep the yuletide cheer glowing, while live entertainment for adults and children alike will keep the yuletide atmosphere growing. Santa usually arrives in a suitably red fire engine before settling into his grotto, so make sure you behave.

When it gets a little chilly, or if you have finished your retail therapy, the Beach House pub is right next door, so you can go celebrate a job well done, and a day well spent.

Of course, the Christmas market is just one place in Greystones to get some fabulous gifts. The town itself has a number of top quality stores offering designer fashion, jewellery, art and interior décor, so you can get your hands on some beautiful presents, for your loved ones or for yourself.

2 – Take the Plunge on Christmas Day

As with many good traditions, we are not sure when, or why, the annual Christmas Day Swim in Greystones first took place. What’s not in doubt, though, is that this is a fun family activity to help blow off the cobwebs, and really shows the community spirit and devotion to an active lifestyle you will see all around in this seaside town.

Every year, more and more people gather on Greystones South Beach late on Christmas morning to take a dip in the chilly water, whether for a good cause, a dare, or simply to join in with the fun.

It’s a real party atmosphere, despite the unpredictable but usually freezing weather, and its gaining popularity, as you can see from the accounts of last year’s brave bathers.

3 – Make it Magical with the Irish Fairy Trail

Christmas is of course a magical time of year, but you can make it even more enchanting with a family visit to nearby Russborough House in Blessington to walk the Irish Fairy Trail.

5_things_to_do_in_greystones_to_make_christmas_great_when_you_buy_a_seagreen_home_irish_fairy_trail.jpg

Photo via Irish Fairy Trail

The sheltered grounds here are a beautiful setting to walk around and enjoy the fresh air, but it’s also a well-kept secret that Lady’s Island is the home of Faylinn the fairy and his friends, who have lived here for three centuries.

Your children will love roaming the beautiful parkland and taking part in the magical fairy trail, where they can see often-hidden fairy houses, learn the fairy language, enjoy fairy games and puzzles, and learn about the natural flora and materials the fairies use in their jewellery.

It’s a completely free and wonderful way to spend a memorable day your whole family will enjoy at this magical time of the year.

4 – Get Festive at Powerscourt

Also close to Greystones and easily accessible thanks to the great transport networks that make the commute so easy from Greystones, is the impressive and beautiful Powerscourt Estate, which becomes even more beautiful as Christmas approaches. The whole family can soak up the festive atmosphere as they follow the star walking along the fir trees along the main avenue and around the 47 acres of the stately home, but your children will love visiting Santa’s animals at the Garden Pavilion’s stables.

There they can meet cute pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, and of course, some of Santa’s deer.

five_great_things_to_do_with_your_family_this_christmas_when_you_buy_a_seagreen_home_in_greystones.jpeg

Talking of Santa, children can meet the man himself at Avoca in Powerscourt House up until 23 December, when he has to leave to get ready for a busy Christmas Eve. You can relax in the Terrace Café or get some gifts in the great shops, while the children meet Santa and his elves, before finishing the day with another look around this beautifully scenic winter wonderland.

5 – Get Cosy at Home

Of course, one of the best things about the festive season is being able to spend time relaxing at home with your family, and the houses at SeaGreen are designed to offer you the cosiest and most comfortable living spaces you can find.

These A2 BER-rated energy-efficient houses ensure you are kept warm throughout the cold winter months, while still keeping your energy bills extremely low. The state of the art heating system with thermostatically controlled radiators heated by highly-efficient natural gas boilers, a heat pump that produces continuous hot water, and top-quality insulation, mean you can stay cosy while the weather outside turns colder.

Our three-bedroom Portland, four-bedroom Bellevue and Wyndham, and our five-bedroom Somerby homes are providing many families with the best possible place to spend Christmas. We look forward to having many more families join the SeaGreen community in our exciting new phase of development next spring, knowing that next Christmas they will be able to enjoy all that SeaGreen, and Greystones, have to offer.

If you would like to register your interest in this new phase, contact us here.

How To Prepare Your Mortgage Application For A New Home At SeaGreen In Greystones

The beautiful new SeaGreen houses for sale in Greystones offer you the chance to realise your dreams of owning your own home in a perfect location. Whether you are interested in a three-bedroom Portland, four-bedroom Bellevue or Wyndham, or five-bedroom Somerby home, these top quality, high-spec and luxurious new builds provide spacious and comfortable living space for you and your growing family in an area that offers great transport links, the best educational facilities, a thriving local town, and of course, a great lifestyle with the mountains and the sea on your doorstep.

seagreen_greystones_homes_guide_to_getting_mortgage_application_right_success_dream_home_houses_for_sale_greystones.jpg

Whether you are looking to find that first home to start a family, or are considering returning to Ireland to settle down, the homes at SeaGreen represent outstanding value, and the Help To Buy Rebate on offer means now is a great time to get that mortgage and register your interest.

However, securing your mortgage can be a difficult process, so we want to make it easier, and ensure your application is as perfect as your new SeaGreen home will be.

Here’s what you need to know to make your mortgage application successful.

The Financial Health Check

In order to secure your mortgage, you will need to show the following in your application:

A secure income (€35,000 per year for single applicants and €60,000 for joint applicants)
A deposit of 10% of the purchase price up to €220,000 and 20% on the excess, though exceptions can be applied at the discretion of the lender
Proof you can make repayments allowing for a 2% increase in rates
Proof of financial prudence

The Mortgage Application Checklist

While every mortgage provider or lender has different criteria, the following are standard requirements you need to include in your application:

Proof of identity and proof of address – include your passport or driver’s licence and a utility bill from within the last three months
A completed salary certificate – you can get this from your employer to show proof of your annual earnings and regular income
An annual earnings statement (such as a P60) – again, your employer should be able to provide this
Three recent payslips or paid invoices – as well as providing proof of your regular income, this also shows that you are financially prudent and are capable of keeping accounts
Current account and saving account statements for the last 6 months – these statements will also show you are financially sound and capable of making repayments
Up to date statements on any existing loans for the last 12 months – lenders will need to know if you have any other repayment commitments that may affect your ability to pay your mortgage
Credit card statements for the last three to six months – another measure to show you are financially prudent and able to make regular and timely payments
As the SeaGreen houses are a new build, the Structural Guarantee Certificate would be required, and we are happy to provide this proof that all of our new homes are designed and built to the highest possible standards
If you are self-employed, you should provide a completed accountant’s report, detailed business accounts for the last two years, business account statements for the last six months, a summary statement of all assets and liabilities and balance statements from revenue

The Mortgage Deal

It is worth noting that as well as requiring different criteria for mortgage applications, each mortgage provider or lender will offer different mortgage types and it is advisable to investigate which one will best suit your needs. Buying a home is one of life’s biggest decisions, and you need to be sure you are with the right lender to help you make this decision.

Mortgages can come at fixed or variable rates, with each lender offering different rates to applicants, so again, it is advisable to look at the mortgage that will work for you.

The Helping Hand

Fixed rate, variable rate, two-year, five-year, capped rate, tracker, split rate – there are a lot of different mortgage deals on offer from many lenders, on top of which are cash-back and other incentives, so finding the best mortgage option for you can be overwhelming, which is why it may be advisable to seek help from an independent mortgage broker.

A broker will not only help you put together your application, they can also bring their industry knowledge and expertise into the equation, are more flexible to suit your working day, and can even secure a better deal for you than you might do on your own.

Now is the ideal time to secure your mortgage and realise your dream of owning your own home, and at SeaGreen, that perfect home is waiting for you.

Find out all you need to know about mortgages and how to successfully apply for one by downloading the SeaGreen Guide To Getting your Mortgage.

The Benefits Of SeaGreen In Greystones For Expats Returning Home To Ireland

Irish people have a long history of emigration, setting up homes in other countries for a variety of reasons, but a considerable number of these people also plan to one day return home. Whether looking to start a family in familiar surroundings and with the support of relatives, to avail of the high quality of education for their children, or simply to give our children the chance to grow up in a safe and fulfilling environment, we more often than not retain a wish to come back to Ireland, and look for the right reason to return, and the right place to call home again.

seagreen_home_interior_wood_group_greystones_reason_for_expats_to_return_and_buy.jpg

SeaGreen in Greystones is an ideal reason to make that journey home again. With a beautiful setting beside the Irish sea in Greystones, it’s a perfect location for those commuting to Dublin city centre. Served by Dublin Bus, the DART, Rail and Intercity Buses, not to mention the superb roads system, the journey time from home to office is less than an hour, whichever form of transport you prefer to take.

Situated beside the Dublin/Wicklow mountains and surrounded by beautiful countryside in ‘the garden of Ireland’, the great outdoors is also just a stone’s throw away, offering a number of outdoor activities and leisure pursuits that will give you the enviable life you always wanted to come home for.

The sea is a big draw – we live on an island, after all – and the many water sport clubs in Greystones give a second-to-none chance to get back to a fun and thrilling lifestyle right on your doorstep.

When it comes to the family, you want to have room to grow and live in comfort, and each of the homes at SeaGreen are spacious and beautifully designed for comfortable living, while there are several primary and secondary-level schools offering a top-level education for children.

All in all, this exciting development has so many benefits that will ensure your decision to move home is the right choice for you and your family.

Built to the highest standards for energy efficiency and security, the three-bedroom Portland, four-bedroom Wyndham and Bellevue, and five-bedroom Somerby homes include top of the range and innovative specifications that offer both luxury and practicality so you can enjoy a spacious and comfortable living space in this beautiful setting.

As Wood Group enable homebuyers to be in direct contact with the builders and contractors working on the site, the houses at SeaGreen can be tailored to an individual’s specifications to enhance the many features that make these homes so sought-after.

spacious_comfortable_home_design_seagreen_greystones_wood_group.jpg More and more expats are now returning to Ireland, with recent figures showing that for the first time, more people are returning to our shores than are leaving, so what do you need to know when considering buying a home at SeaGreen?

The price of housing is on the increase in the country, but SeaGreen homes offer tremendous value, while changes in the financing provided by lenders has made it much more affordable to buy a home than it has been in recent years.

These homes also help you to save money. The energy-efficient design with state of the art heating includes thermostatically controlled radiators heated by an A-rated natural gas boiler, with continuous hot water provided by a high-efficiency heat pump. Solar panels provide electricity and the triple-insulated windows and high-tech insulation keep the houses at the perfect temperature all-year round, keeping your bills very low while also helping you to keep the Irish environment green.

If a home at SeaGreen sounds good to you as a returning expat, there are some things to note, the first of which being that the amount of time spent living abroad can impact on how you source the funds needed. Another thing to note is that many Irish banks and lenders do require mortgage applicants to hold Irish citizenship.

If living abroad for some time you may need to supply bank statements and records and a foreign credit history to be considered for a mortgage in Ireland. You might also need to be assessed in your career prospects in Ireland, as even though you may have made a good living abroad, you might also have to show how that will translate to the Irish jobs market.

The introduction of the mandatory 20% deposit applies to expat buyers too, with some banks requiring even more than this, ranging up to 30% or even 40% of the value of the home.

However, it is worth considering how currency rates and property prices in the country you have been living in will affect your financial position. The weaker euro against the British pound and US dollar have made it an opportune time for many deciding to return, and now is a great time to consider buying at SeaGreen and enjoy great value.

The development is progressing at a fast rate, as you can see from our latest flyover video, and interest in purchasing a home at SeaGreen is very high, so register your interest below and you can look forward to returning to Ireland to a perfect new home in a perfect location!